Germany and England have increased pressure on FIFA president Gianni Infantino, despite his decision to withdraw a controversial plan to open FIFA competitions, including the World Cup, to private-sector investors.
The German Football Association (DFB) and the Football Association (FA) have both issued strongly worded responses to the way the proposal was developed and presented, according to French broadcaster RMC.
The DFB said Infantino had “acted in an irresponsible manner”, while the FA called for a “thorough and rigorous review” of FIFA’s leadership and governance.
Bernd Neuendorf, president of the German Football Association, criticised the handling of the project and demanded a “full investigation” into how it had been prepared. He also called for a “radical cultural change” within world football’s governing body.
“Gianni Infantino acted unilaterally, without transparency, and ultimately in an irresponsible manner towards the interests of football,” Neuendorf told Agence France-Presse.
He added: “Together with UEFA and the other confederations, we must ensure that a radically different culture prevails within FIFA. A culture in which decisions are discussed and made again by the members within the governing bodies.”
The FA said: “The time has come for a thorough and rigorous review of FIFA’s leadership and governance, to ensure that global football is managed in a transparent manner.”
The English governing body also confirmed its full support for UEFA’s position in opposition to Infantino’s proposal in a statement published on its official account on X.
The dispute follows Infantino’s retreat from the plan after it triggered a wave of criticism. The proposed changes would have allowed private investors to become involved in FIFA competitions, with the World Cup identified as one of the central tournaments affected.
Although the project has now been withdrawn, the reactions from Germany and England show that concerns over the process used to develop it remain unresolved. Their criticism has focused not only on the proposal itself but also on the wider question of how decisions are made within FIFA.
Neuendorf said any future approach should involve greater discussion among the organisation’s members and leadership bodies. His comments also underlined the importance of cooperation with UEFA and the other confederations in establishing a different internal culture.
The French Football Federation president, Philippe Diallo, had previously described the project as “worrying”. France is considering a bid to host the World Cup in either 2038 or 2042, adding significance to its concerns about the future direction of FIFA competitions.
The German and English positions now add to the growing criticism directed at Infantino, even after the withdrawal of the proposal. Both associations have made clear that abandoning the project has not removed the need for scrutiny of FIFA’s leadership, decision-making process and governance standards.
